Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Routes 17 and 4 in western Maine: over the Height of Land to Oquossoc, around Rangeley Lake to Rangeley, then down to Smalls Falls.
Also known as Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation, America's Byways collection (National Archives), Public domain, source
- Length35.6 miles[1]
- Drive timeTwo to three hours of driving, or a full day with stops[1]FHWA's "time to allow"
- RoadsMaine Routes 4 and 17[2]
- Start and endRoute 17 south of the Height of Land, north to Oquossoc, then Route 4 through Rangeley to Smalls Falls near Madrid[2]
- Fees and passesNone[1]
- Best seasonFall foliage; color in western Maine typically peaks in the second week of October[3]
- SurfacePaved; travel lanes are 6 to 11.5 feet wide, with shoulders of 1.5 to 8 feet[4]
- Vehicle notesTraffic is usually light, but heavier during Rangeley's Snodeo and Fourth of July events. Cyclists share the road with cars.[4]
- Seasonal closuresThe roads are open year-round; take care when they are icy or snow-covered.[4]
Before you go
Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Facts last checked against the sources on October 29, 2026.
About the drive
The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway follows Route 17 and Route 4 through the mountains and lakes of western Maine. From Route 17 it climbs to the Height of Land, drops to Oquossoc, then follows Route 4 past Rangeley Lake to the town of Rangeley and south toward Madrid.
The Height of Land is the stop people come for: a pull-off with a long view over Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes. The route runs along the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains before dropping into rolling hills and valleys.
FHWA suggests two to three hours to drive it and a full day to visit. Smalls Falls, near the southern end on Route 4, is a short stop for a look at the falls.
Stops along the way
-
Height of Land
Overlook on Route 17 above Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes.
-
Oquossoc
Village where Route 17 meets Route 4.
-
Rangeley
Lake town at the center of the byway.
-
Smalls Falls
Waterfall stop on Route 4 north of Madrid.
Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Food along the way
In season during the best months to drive
The drive's best months are Sep, Oct. Typical U.S. seasons from our Fresh Market Guide; local harvests vary.
- Acorn squashSep, Oct, Nov
- AlmondsAug, Sep, Oct
- Asian pearsAug, Sep, Oct
- Butternut squashSep, Oct, Nov
Regional desserts
- Whoopie pieMaine's official state treat (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, section 225).
Keep exploring
Scenic drives nearby
- Old Canada Road Scenic BywayME · about 40 mi away
- White Mountain TrailNH · about 66 mi away
- Kancamagus Scenic BywayNH · about 72 mi away
- Connecticut River BywayMA, NH, VT · about 93 mi away
- Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic BywayME
- Acadia All-American RoadME
More scenic drives in Maine
Food and farms in the area
Sources
- America's Byways: Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway (Recreation.gov) (checked 2026-10-29)
- When & Where to Visit: Western Maine (Maine Forest Service fall foliage) (checked 2026-10-29)
- America's Byways: Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway, visitor services (FHWA byways.org, archived copy) (checked 2026-10-29)
- Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-29.
Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.
Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).